Ipsita

As a practitioner, I bring over eight years of dedicated experience as a practitioner and researcher in psychotherapy and mental health. My expertise spans a wide spectrum, specializing in adult, couple, and family therapy. I focus on various mental health interventions, addressing concerns such as trauma, emotional well-being, psychosocial disorders, personal growth, gender issues, sexual and reproductive health, domestic violence, relational and marital challenges, familial concerns, and queer-affirmative practices. Trained in intermodal expressive arts, my work is not limited to just talk therapy.

In addition to my role as the founder of Thehraav®, I am committed to personal and professional growth through continuous learning. This commitment reflects in my hands-on experience as the Program Coordinator of Sukoon, a field action project of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. In this capacity, I played a key role in developing and expanding the project, overseeing teams, and engaging with stakeholders in the legal justice system.

Previously, I led a major research project on Marital Dissolutions at TISS, showcasing my ability to operate at grassroots levels and as a leader. As a consultant psychologist, I practice both online and in person in Navi Mumbai, working with children, adolescents, and adults across various therapeutic modalities.

At Thehraav®, I bring this wealth of experience to provide comprehensive supervision and support for subordinates, ensuring the continual enhancement of skills and adherence to a sensitized, intersectional, rights-based, and gender-inclusive framework. As the founder, I am deeply committed to fostering an environment of constant learning and growth, ensuring that Thehraav® remains at the forefront of mental health practices. Explore the transformative possibilities of therapy, consultation, and workshops with us as we embark on a collective journey towards well-being and continual evolution.

Educational Qualifications:

1. Post Graduate Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies: Trauma Research Foundation, Boston (Online,2022)

2. Master of Arts in Applied Psychology - Specialisation in Clinical Psychology: Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai (2014 – 2016)

3. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: University of Mumbai (2011 – 2014)

   Currently Pursuing:

1. Post Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Psychology - Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University (S.S College Bhopal) (2022-2023) Accredited by the Rehabilitation Council of India

2. Post Graduate Diploma in Arts Based Therapy - Bhanuben Nanavati Career Development Centre

3. Compassionate Inquiry: Professional Online Training - A graduate level trauma-informed psychotherapeutic approach based on the work of Dr. Gabor Mate and Sat Dharam Kaur

Additional Qualifications/Certifications:

1. One Year Programme in Narrative Therapy and Community Work (2022-2023): Conducted by Dulwich Centre, Australia in tie up with Children's First, Delhi

2. A certificate in Expressive Arts in Affiliation with European Graduate School, Switzerland (2022-2023): Conducted by Swahansa Expressive Arts India (an accredited member of the International Expressive Arts Training Network)

3. Applied Buddhist Psychology: Arth - The Bodhi Tree (2022)

4. How to be a Better Supervisor for Students in Health Services: American Psychological Association Continuing Education (2021)

5. Certification in Trauma Informed Practices: Trauma Toolbox by Ron Huxley (2021)

6. Certificate in Queer Affirmative Counselling Practices: Mariwala Health Initiative (2021)

7. Responding to Trauma - Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness: Narrative Practices India and Pause for Perspective (2021)

8. Short term training in Narrative Practices: Ummeed Child Development Center and Pause for Perspective (2020)

9. Certificate in LGBTQ Counseling Competencies : American Counseling Association (2020)

10. Compassion Fatigue Certificate Training for Healthcare, Mental Health and Caring Professionals: Professional and Educational Services International (2020)

11. Telepsychology Best Practices 101 - Telebehavioral Health: American Psychological Association (2020)

12. Short Term Programme in Couple and Family Therapy: Tata Institute of Social Sciences (2019)

Publications:

1. Joshi, A., Joshi, A., Chatterjee, I, Kantak, C. S., & Puntambekar, A. “Expectations of Women Survivors of Domestic Violence From Counsellors in Legal Settings” TISS-UNODC International Conference on Access to Justice to End Violence. (2021)

2. Joshi, A., Joshi, A., Chatterjee, I, Kantak, C. S., & Puntambekar, A. (2020). Facilitator lessons from online psychoeducational group for relational well-being in India during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Family Therapy. doi: 10.1111/1467-6427.12337

3. Joshi, A., Joshi, A., Kantak, C. S., Chatterjee, I, & Puntambekar, A. “The Sukoon (Peace) Model of Couples and Family Therapy in Legal Settings in India” International Psychology Conference, Prague (rescheduled due to COVID-19 pandemic).

4. Joshi, A., Joshi, A., Chatterjee, I, Kantak, C. S., & Puntambekar, A. “From Personal to Legal: Nature of Marital Conflicts and Findings ‘Sukoon’ (Peace)” National Academy of Psychology, Pondicherry. India & “International Conference on “Making Psychology Deliverable to the Society”

5. Co-authored two major research reports in the area of reasons for marital dissolutions, impact of divorce, intimate partner violence, and marriage counsellors’ perspectives on spousal violence as a Research Associate in School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences.

6. Masters’ Dissertation titled, ‘Dysfunctional Attitudes and Illness Perception in Patients with Depression’.

Prior Work Experience:

1. Programme Coordinator, Sukoon: Counselling and Research for Individual and Relational Well-Being (August, 2018-December 2020) – A field action project by the School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences which provides free of cost counselling services to litigants approaching family courts and is actively involved in primary research Responsibilities: Monitoring both research and counselling-interventions teams, liaising with key stakeholders in the courts, liaising with women’s rights organizations, monitoring the progress of the project, report writing and other publication work, developing new centres, facilitating and monitoring project centres across multiple court settings, project management, liaising with the funders, and preparing and achieving set targets for the project

2. Research Associate (January, 2017 – July, 2018) – in a Research Project titled, “Marital Dissolutions through Family Courts: Data Trends and Individual Experiences” in School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai Responsibilities – developing codebook for quantitative data entry, reviewing of literature, data collection, interacting with several different stakeholders (governmental and non-governmental), quantitative and qualitative data analysis, report writing, publication work and project management

3. Consultant Psychologist (April, 2017 to August 2018) – Soumanasya Psychiatry Clinic and Counselling Centre, Navi Mumbai Responsibilities: Psychotherapeutic and psychodiagnostic services for children, adults and families experiencing emotional and psychological distress

4. Visiting Faculty for Master’s in Clinical Psychology (for the academic year 2016-17) – R.D National College (affiliated to University of Mumbai) Responsibilities: Taught personality theories, cognitive behaviour therapy and rational emotive behaviour therapy to first and second year MA students

5. Research Assistant in Course Development (August, 2016) – School of Human Ecology, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai Responsibilities: Developed outlines, course structure, reading materials and the overall schedule of certificate courses held by SHE

6. Teacher (June, 2012 – December, 2012) – Aspire Educational Services: A School for Children with Autism Responsibilities: Engaged in interventions and teaching with special children

Current Engagements:

1. Founder ( January 31, 2020-present) - Thehraav: Unwind Your Mind®

2. Consultant Psychologist (December. 2020-present) - Wysa